Normal Wear and Tear in Texas
Texas does not treat ordinary wear and tear as a proper security deposit deduction.
That means the real question in many disputes is whether the landlord is pointing to normal use over time, or to actual tenant-caused damage.
The practical distinction
Normal wear and tear usually looks like ordinary aging and everyday use.
Actual damage is different. It is a condition that goes beyond normal use and can reasonably be tied to the tenant's conduct.
What helps you show the difference
- move-in and move-out photos
- the lease
- repair receipts
- written explanations from the landlord
- a clear description of the unit condition when you left
Review the charges carefully
If the landlord took money from the deposit, ask:
- was there a written itemized list?
- do the charges match the condition shown in your photos?
- does the claimed work look like ordinary turnover instead of tenant-caused damage?
Related Texas pages
Important
This page provides general information and not legal advice.